The Barlow Planetarium offers public programming. Family shows are geared for the young and young-at-heart. Feature shows are geared for the older student or adult that already has an established interest in astronomy. Wisconsin Skies is for the visitor that wants to get the most current and in-depth astronomy information possible. Each show ends with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

Star Show Schedule

Star Show Times:  February 28–April 27

• Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays | CLOSED
• Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. | Bear Tales and Other Grizzly Stories
• Fridays at 3:45 p.m. | Bad Astronomy
• Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. | Bear Tales and Other Grizzly Stories
• Saturdays at 3:45 p.m. | Bad Astronomy

Barlow Family Astronomy Night

Saturday, March 16, 7–9:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 7–9:30 p.m.

Get the full Barlow Planetarium experience—planetarium shows and telescopes—in a single astronomy-filled evening.

• 7 p.m. | Bear Tales and Other Grizzly Stories
• 8–9:30 p.m. | Telescope Viewing featuring the Moon
• 8:15 p.m. | Bad Astronomy

Star Show Admission

• Barlow Members: FREE
• Adults (age 18+): $8 
• Students (age 13-17): $7
• College students (with ID): $7
• Children (age 3-12): $6
• Seniors (age 60+): $6
• Multi-show discounts are available
• Group discounts are available
• Free (1 show per day) for eligible Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) passport members!

ASTC Pass Program Restrictions

• Based on residence: To receive Travel Passport Program benefits, you must live more than 90 miles away from the center/museum you wish to visit. Admissions staff reserve the right to request proof of residence for benefits to apply. Science centers and museums requesting proof of residence are marked by (Check IDs).
• Based on your science center’s or museum’s location: Science centers/museums located within 90 miles of each other are excluded from the Travel Passport Program unless that exclusion is lifted by mutual agreement.

FEATURE STAR SHOWS (Grade 5 & Above)

For visitors who have an established interest in astronomy and space. . .

Bad Astronomy

March 1-April 27 –  Buy Bad Astronomy Tickets!

Based on the popular book and website of the same name, Bad Astronomy offers a unique and fun approach to learning about the cosmos. Join the Bad Astronomer Phil Plait as he takes a critical look at popular myths and misconceptions to show audiences how science can be used to evaluate questionable claims. Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.

FAMILY STAR SHOWS (Grade 4 & Below)

A light, fun and educational astronomy experience for the visitors that are young and young-at-heart . . .

Bear Tales and Other Grizzly Stories

February 28-April 27 – Buy Bear Tales Tickets!

Bear Tales features a variety of stories as told by Grandpa Ben and his family as they camp out under the stars of early-summer. While sitting around the campfire, learn the stories of several constellations, in particular the Big Bear and the Little Bear. Suitable for audiences of all ages, this program on the origins of the constellations includes stories from ancient Greece and Egypt as well as modern humorous tales. Bear Tales is a perfect program for children and includes the sing-along, Waltzing with Bears. Each show concludes with a tour of the current nighttime sky – stars, constellations and planets – as seen from the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin.